Monday, May 23, 2016

Only For The Week: Part 16

Almost half way into 2016, and I was so close to saying that the metal world had been fairly spared from this cursed year, so naturally, reality gave me, and everyone else, a bitch slap to the face. Because on Sunday, news came out that the former Megadeth drummer Nick Menza had collapsed on stage while playing for his current band, OHM, in Los Angeles. Despite quick action and several attempts on saving his life, Nick died of an heart attack. A sad day for metal heads, and just another star that left us too soon. Damn you 2016, stop taking our musical legends, take the garbage instead!

Anyway, let us get to this week's three songs, enjoy!

All of the songs on this segment is gathered in a Spotify playlist, you can find it here

The Classic: Megadeth - Holy Wars... The Punishment Due

In honor of Nick Menza, I had to chose a song from the legendary album "Rust In Peace", and while the album is stacked with amazing songs, "Holy Wars..." was the obvious choice. The song simply kicks ass, with its drive, skill, and versatility. It is Megadeth from top to bottom, from the lyrics to the riffing, and that is why we fell in love with this song and the album it is in. Rust in peace Nick, we will miss you.

And we continue on the thrash trail with the Teutonic kind. While I still feel like "Under Attack" could have been better, it did have some tasty candy in it, like the steam roller "Generation Nevermore", a classic Destruction piece that takes no prisoners and just demolishes everything in its path. It just does not get more thrash than that.

I would add a video of the song, but just like any other newcomer I have put up in the last couple of weeks, the risk of it being taken down is great, so sorry :(

The Personal Favourite: Bornholm - Where The Light Was Born (Thule Ultima A Sole Nomen Habens)

Just like a ton of other songs in my own music catalog, I discovered this song from Hungarian pagan black metal band Bornholm in the video game Rock Band. Hearing this song, and seeing its crazy drum pattern with never ending blast beats, was a great experience, and made me more interested in the band. "Where The Light Was Born..." is such an epic song that holds up incredibly well, even with the calm 1 and a half minute break in the middle of the song. It keeps giving me the goosebumps every time it enters that final stage.

Album reviews by year released

Greetings from the Gates

Hi fellow metal head. My name is Robert Andersson but I am also known as Sharkruisher, and in this blog, I will review albums from every corner in the metal world. Everything from Iron Maiden, Bullet For My Valentine, Dream Theater, Amon Amarth, and many, many more.

My main focus is new releases but I will also look back on the careers of some of the biggest bands. I will also from time to time write reviews of books, films and other media (mostly related to metal).

Followers

Q & A

Q: Who the hell are you?

A: A Swedish man around his 20's that loves metal.

Q: Where did you get the name of the blog and your username?

A: The blog name is taken from a song by the thrash metal band Forbidden (the song comes from the album "Omega Wave" (2010)). As for the username, I originally took the name from a Hot Wheels car and just happened to misspell it. The name of the car was Sharkruiser, but my stupid mind added an h to make it Sharkruisher (and yes, the car looked like a shark). But still, it sounded cool and it have followed me since i came up with it around 7 years ago.

Q: Which band/artist is your all time favourite?

A: One does not simply name only one favourite band/artist.

Q: Do you have any other interests?

A: I am also into sports, especially football, athletics and American football. I also enjoy playing video games, mostly rhythm, racing and platformers.

Q: What can I expect from this blog?

A: Reviews of both new and old albums from almost every corner of the metal universe. Also some other reviews from time to time (movies, books, shows and more)

Q: How often do you post a review?

A: I try to keep a steady schedule of three posts a week (most of the time it is reviews of two new albums and an older album on Thursdays for my discography reviews), but that can change pending on my personal life.

Q: Are you doing a review of everything you listen to?

A: No, that would take too much of my free time. I would say that I write a review of 1/4 of the amount of albums I listen too.

Q: Can I find you on any other site?

A: I do have a Twitter account, so if you want to know when I upload a new review (or just wanna see me write gibberish), give it a follow

https://twitter.com/ForsakenGates

Q: Why do you not make a review of [insert random album name here]?

A: Mostly because I go on my own taste. You can give me a suggestion if you want to, but it is not sure that I will do a review of that album (but I am open for any tips and suggestions, so do not be afraid to ask me).

Q: Can I express my own opinion of the album.

A: Sure, just type you opinion in the commentary section at the end of the review, but keep it clean, no stupidity or ignorance allowed.

Q: What does that mean?

A: No racism, sexism, threats or how I am wrong. Just because you have one opinion, it does not mean that everyone else must have the same one, we are all different people with different tastes. In short, use common sense.

Q: I am in a band and we have recently released a album. Will you do a review of it?

A: Absolutely, but if your band plays the darkest of black metal or whimpy ass rock (like Nickelback), I will most likely not review it because you will probably get a bad review from me with a low rating (and I am sure that you do not want that). Also, I am definitely open for digital downloads, but if you have the chance to send me a real copy of your album, I would appreciate it more.

Still want me to review it? Then send me a mail to sharkruisher13@gmail.com and we can discuss the situation.

Q: Do you review EPs, demos and Singles?

A: EPs: yes, but only if it the band wants me to write a review for them.

Demos: no

Singles: hell no

Q: Are you in a band?

A: No, mostly because I am pretty incompetent when it comes to instruments (I do plan on learning the guitar eventually though). I also do not have the time.

Q: Will you do interviews?

A: You should never say never, but I am not that good of a journalist, so no.

If you have any other question, then send it to my E-mail sharkruisher13@gmail.com or give me a tweet @ForsakenGates and I will try to answer it as soon as possible